In 1797 Knoxville is still a wild “west” town. Rachel Taylor lives with her parents and helps to run their mercantile - more just a stop along the way for travelers. When she stands up for her best friend Sally at her wedding to the mysterious Wiley Harpe, Rachel wonders if Sally is making a mistake. Her feelings are confirmed when it turns out that Sally’s new husband is on the path to being an outlaw, and he’s taking Sally and the rest of the family along with him.

Thomas Langford is heading south when he meets up with the Harpe crew. Thomas’s cousin Ben is a few days behind and stops at the Taylor’s mercantile. He is somewhat smitten with Rachel at first sight. Ben has to meet up with Thomas, however, so he can’t linger. He is due at another stop.

The Blue Cloak is a fictional story based on events that happened in history. The Harpes really were two brothers who wreaked havoc in the developing south, leaving a trail of death and destruction along their way. They did drag along the two wives - Sally and Susan - and the third “wife” Betsey. Sally, the daughter of a Baptist preacher, tries to keep her faith alive even in the darkest of times with the Harpes.

This novel was the second that I’ve read in the True Colors series. I enjoy the way that the true story is interwoven with a fictional one, so it reads more like a novel than a history book. McNear created two characters in Ben and Rachel that you want to follow. She also was able to make Sally someone that you could sympathize with, rather than berate for the choices she made. I am looking forward to reading the remaining books in this series.


3.75 stars


This review will be posted at BookwormishMe.com on 16 Feb 2020 .

This story deals with tough topics. Danger and horror fill the lives of the characters. The author writes in a way that leaves a lasting impression. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

Sometimes I wonder why I subject myself to reading about horrible monsters - those two-legged ones who kill before they think. What's more, this is a book based on the real life story of such individuals. Those horrific murders happened. I almost blurted out "Oh no!" when a little girl wandered into the scene and knew that she would be killed. And I almost covered my eyes with my fingers reading about how monster number one killed his own baby.

Hard to read. I'm just glad there's a happy ending and that justice prevailed. I was honestly not as interested in reading the fictional parts and actually more absorbed in Sally's story from her perspective. My heart sure did go out to her!

I think I have to take a break from reading such gut-wrenching true crime stories.

Thank you Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.

The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear is based on the true story of the Harpe brothers, or cousins; no one is sure, who terrorized the Wilderness Road in the late 1700s. Sally, the daughter of a minister, married Wiley (Little) Harpe believing he was going to be a loving husband and she would have a pleasant life. Her joy was soon dashed when Wiley takes her home to his “family” which consists of Micajah (Big), Susan, Micajah’s wife and a younger woman called Betsey. Susan and Betsey were kidnapped some years earlier. She quickly learns this will not be a traditional marriage as both men share all the women. The family seems to do well at first until it is discovered the animals they are selling have been stolen and then barns begin burning down so the group is on the run. Big and Little commit many more crimes and horrendous murders are among them. They murder innocent people as well as those they feel have crossed them in some way. When Thomas Langford is murdered his cousin, Ben, joins the search party and it becomes his goal to not stop until Big and Little are brought to justice. Will they ever be brought to justice?
Wow! This was not an easy read at many times but certainly interesting to learn more about the history and danger of the time. Throughout the story Sally prays and never forgets her faith. Others are praying for safety also as they hear more and more terrorizing stories of the antics of Big and Little. Sally’s father believes a wife must always stay with and support her husband but as more evidence against them comes out his heart softens to being willing to allow her come home if she is ever able. The women are not physically held captive but believe they will be tracked down and punished if they ever try to leave and probably that anyone who would assist them would be brutally murdered. I recommend this book and give it 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I wish to thank Net Galley and the publisher, Barbour for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My oh my! I love good historical fictions and looked forward to reading this one. I had no idea how deep and well researched this one was going to be. It is based on real characters and places. It is set on the Wilderness Road which is the path of early settlers moving west from the Carolinas and Virginia. Daniel Boone used this route on his travels. This is the story of two brothers who would today be called serial killers who murdered and dismembered just about everyone they encountered for no special reason other than their need for excitement. The book covers romance, friendship, Christianity, life in the early days of settlement along the Cumberland Gap and details the murders, trials and so much more. It has you setting on the edge of your seat the entire story.

When the story ends there is much more to come as the author details her research into the actual lives of the characters in the book. She goes to Ancestry and discovers the genealogy of the people in the story. That is as fascinating as the story itself. Well done Shannon!

I have not read her books prior to this one but can assure you that I will and will highly recommend it to those who enjoy a good crime book.

What a read. This story is centered around two notorious men, most likely close blood relations, who brought a reign of terror to the hills of Kentucky, following the Revolutionary War. Three women, two legally bound to the men by marriage, travel with the gang. And there are babies to deal with.
Based on what facts remain, the author takes you through a vicious time in history. There are a couple graphic places in the book but overall it is an interesting and educational read.

True crime meets historical fiction - riveting! I’ve always been fascinated with history and learning anew truths of the past. The Blue Cloak sheds light on dark and deadly events in the late 18 century: the first series killers in these new United States of America circa 1780. Riveting with horrifyingly graphic and grisly details, The Blue Cloak chronicles the swath of destruction and evil perpetrated by two brothers (cousins?) along early frontier settlements in Kentucky and Tennessee. Painstakingly researched, insofar as possible through a myriad of sources, the author is commended in creating a probable storyline depicting the terrors inflicted on unsuspecting travelers and townsfolk in isolated territories along the Cumberland region.

Hope in the midst of hopelessness, God’s light and presence prevailing in the midst of the evil darkness are mentioned but not deeply developed. The pathology of domestic violence is shockingly revealed as is the Stockholm syndrome The author attempts to answer the question that plagues us all: what is the genesis of such horrendous evil in the psyche - the making of a psychopath? Sobering in its reality.
This iBook is categorized in the Christian book genre. Beware. It is a dark and intense, graphic and grisly portrayal of evil .

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Barbour Publishing and the author, Shannon McNear, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Blue Cloak in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
What an incredible story of the American Frontier. I was hooked from the beginning.
The storyline was well written with amazing scenery. Was very easy to lose yourself in this book.
Well worth a read.

The Blue Cloak is the latest installment of the True Colors series. Set after the American Revolution, the novel follows Rachel Taylor and Benjamin Langford as they face the terror wrought by the Harpe brothers. I had never heard of the Harpe brothers until I read this book. I think it’s necessary to say that if you’re sensitive to dark content, this book may not be for you. Even McNear wrote in an author’s note that she had difficulty with the topic. But I felt she handled it very well.

The characters are well-developed. McNear manages to use the characters’ interactions with one another to develop them. From the beginning, the reader gets a glimpse of Rachel’s relationship with Sally. Sally’s character proves important to the narrative, especially since she’s based on a real person. But I don’t want to risk spoiling anything. That relationship shows Rachel’s caring and loyal nature, a trait that had me rooting for Rachel very quickly. Similarly, Ben’s relationship with his cousin Thomas brought out Ben’s character without endless exposition. The romance between him and Rachel seems well-paced. Rachel did annoy me a bit at one point, but her concerns seemed understandable considering her friend’s experiences.

McNear did a great job of keeping the reader abreast of real-life events surrounding the Harpe brothers’ murders. The novel itself is well-researched and includes a lot of historical detail. I think she dealt with everything in a real but tasteful way — at least as tasteful as you can when murder is involved. I also liked the way she handled Sally’s experiences. Sally’s struggles illuminates an issue that still resonates with readers today: Why don’t victims of abuse leave? I appreciated that McNear addressed this in her author’s note.

Overall, I think readers of mystery and romantic suspense will enjoy this book. And history lovers will appreciate the attention to detail as well as the respect for historical accuracy.

(Blog post goes live Feb. 21 at 5:00 PM)

I believe I first saw this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I thought is sounded interesting, so I signed up for a chance to win. A few says later it appeared as an offer on NetGalley so I quickly downloaded it. Although I don't always enjoy historical fiction, the author had me at the first scene. She thoroughly researched the historical event and created characters that I grew to care about. It ended as I hoped it would, adding to the appeal. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and give it four stars.

THE BLUE CLOAK by SHANNON McNEAR is a true crime story that is very well written and researched, but may not appeal to everyone.
The wickedness of murderers Micajah and Wiley Harpe, and the horrors they inflicted on their "wives", make for some hard reading, but somehow the author has drawn our attention to God's presence in the midst of it all. I found the Christian message good.
I like the fictitious romance between Rachel and Ben.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own

The Blue Cloak is part of the "True Colors" series comprising historical fiction about crime in America. Shannon McNear relates the events that took place over The Wilderness Road in Kentucky beginning in 1798. Two men who may have been cousins, posed as brothers and travelled through Kentucky wreaking havoc in the wilderness.

The events surrounding the serial killing done by these men for sport, revenge, or to procure supplies was hard to imagine. The author does a good job of mostly depicting those acts with veiled references but a few acts of cruelty are described in more detail.

Almost as horrifying as the killings, were the fact that three women were often made to witness to these acts. The make-up of the travelling party of two men and three women is based on historical fact. One woman had been completely blindsided by one who had professed to be a Christian, attended her father's church and had been recently baptised. How deeply he hid his true nature as she was entirely in the dark about his true character until the day he brought her to his home where she found two women were already in residence.

Reading this account, readers witness not only the madness of two of America's first serial killers but also the tragedy of domestic abuse and the evil power that kept the women entrapped. How could those women willingly follow these men for so many years? Because they knew if they tried to escape, they would most certainly be hunted down.

This may be a good series for those with an interest in true crime and historical fiction. Without overly gory detail, readers will be able to learn about some of America's painful past in a pretty sanitized manner. I would definitely recommend this book for adult audiences only.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Blue Cloak from NetGalley for the purpose of review. Opinions expressed are my own.

When I picked up this book I was not certain I would like it. Most books glorify the settling of the frontier and make it sound glamorous and romantic. That doesn't match my ancestors account. This book reflects the darker side of the frontier where relationships develop quickly and life was hard. I actually liked this book. Yes, the brothers are evil and the women missed opportunities for help. But we see inside the twisted relationships while at the same time seeing life through Rachel's eyes. The story was well done.

I thought this was going to have more romantic suspense and less gory details of criminal activity, but I was mistaken and let down. However, it was interesting to read about this period of time on the frontier. The Harpes are psychopathic murderers and I want to erase some of the details of their killings from my memory. Ben and Rachel were sweethearts, but the emphasis was mostly on the Harpes.

This is the second book that I have read from Barbour’s True Colors series. Each book in the series is based on a true crime event from the past. I gave 4 stars to The Blue Cloak, but I’m not sure that saying I “enjoyed “ it is the right term. It was fascinating in a horrific way—the relationship between the 3 women and the psychological struggle they faced daily as a result of their connection to the Harpes was one of my favorite aspects of the story, along with Ben and Rachel’s romance. The description of the Harpe brothers actions was difficult to read. I definitely appreciated the author’s note at the end of the book. Thanks go to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Based on a true story, The Blue Cloak is a heartbreaking and emotional tale of what life may have been like for one of the women held by the Harpe brothers. Sally's story is woven in alongside the fictional characters, Rachel; a young woman who works at her family's trading posts, and Ben, a lawyer who is searching for the men who brutally murdered his cousin.

The brutality of some of the events described was difficult to read, especially as a mother, but all in all, the book was a great read.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rachel watches as her friend Sally is wed to Wiley. She is happy that Sally has found someone that she loves and loves her in return. As a wedding gift Rachel has made Sally a beautiful blue cloak, the color will bring out the color of Sally's eyes.
If Rachel only had know the type of person Wiley was she would have saved her friends a lot of heartache, but neither woman or anyone else at the small wedding ceremony knew the evil that dwell in his heart.
Sally would endure and see many monstrosities committed by Wiley and his brother. The first was the surprise of the two women who already lived with the men. All three women were shared with the brothers. When all three became pregnant, none of them knew who the father was.
The Blue Cloak is a historical fiction. Though some liberties may have been taken to enhance the story, the brothers did exist. They did leave pain and destruction wherever the went. They murder at will, mutilating some of the bodies of the victims. The women that lived with them Susan and Betsy were kidnapped when they were young. Fear of retribution if they left kept them anchored to the brothers.
Excellent book. Interesting and entertaining!

Interesting yet quite disturbing:
This book revealed a dangerous and turbulent time in colonial American history but the truths and lessons are still relevant today. It would have been a totally dark and depressing book if not for the sweet, gentle slow romance between Ben and Rachel. However the primary focus of the book is on the Harpe family and the efforts to bring them to justice. It was awful and tragic and quite difficult to read at times, especially knowing that this was based on a true story. However it was still a good reminder that the Lord sees our predicaments and hears our prayers.
I can't say I really enjoyed reading this book despite it having been quite well written. The subject matter was just rather dark and I also found that it dragged a bit and was a little disjointed with frequent flipping back and forth between the main characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

This book follows multiple Points Of Views. You get to see what it was like for someone who was married to a serial killer, for someone who read about what was going on, and for someone looking for the suspects.
Sally was someone who married Wiley. She didn’t know at the time what she was getting herself into. She only knew one version of Wiley, the one she married in 1797.
Rachel was Sallys best friend. She was worried when the killings started happening. She realized that Ben, her love interest in the book, might not come back every time he went to go look for Wiley and Micajah. You get to see throughout the book how worried Rachel is not only for Ben but for Sally and eventually Sallys daughter.
Ben wants to bring both Micajah and Wiley yo justice based on what happened to his cousin Thomas. That was always his main purpose for going after Micajah and Wiley. But eventually, he did free Sally and the other two women from the abuse they suffered at the hands of both Wiley and Micajah.

This was a great book. I did want to see how Wiley was at the beginning of his relationship with Sally. In the end, before Micajah was killed, Wiley had a ”pleading and desperate” look in his eyes. I would have like to know if that was the real Wiley who was scared of getting caught or the Wiley who knew what he did was wrong but wanted Sally not to say anything. Wiley was eventually caught, tried and executed for his part in the murders between 1797 and 1799.
Ben and Rachel had a happy ending and love how they got that after everything. And it does seem like Rachel is pregnant with baby number 3 at the end of the book.

This was an intriguing read as it dealt with a little known piece of American history, gruesome though it was. Not a light read by any means but interesting